Graining apparatus



Jan. v4, 1949. J, M SIMPSON 2,458,108

M GRAINING APPARATUS l f FiledMach 25, 194e. 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTORTTORNEY J. M. sIMPsoN GRAINING APPARATUS Jan. 4, 1949.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 25,. 1946 R Y WS. .m mM hf@ wm .0 i ,afl 1Patented Jan. 4, 1949 UNITED; STATES PATENT OFFICE GRAINING APPARATUSJohn M. Simpson, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application March 25, 1946, Serial No. 657,030

6` Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in grainng machines and the likeand more particularly to an apparatus for producing a grained surface onprinting plates for use in oifset presses.

The conventional machines now employed for this purpose generallycomprise a flat tank or container into which the plates to be grainedare inserted. The grainng of these plates is usually accomplished bymoving marbles and sand over the Wet plates. This movement is usuallyimparted to the grainng particles by rapidly gyrating the grainngcontainer or tank in comparatively large circulatory movements. Thegyrating mechanisms in these conventional machines are subjected togreat wear under the relatively heavy load of the graining tank withconsequent reduction of the life of the machine. Furthermore, the typeof grained surface produced by these conventional machines can noteasily be controlled, and the texture of the grained surface usuallylacks in depth and texture.

It is therefore among the objects of the present invention to provide agrainng machine which will produce a more permanent texture and deepergrain and by means of which the type oi grained surface can more easilybe controlled.

A further object is to produce a machine of the class indicated whichwill have a simplified construction in comparison with those now in usewith a consequent saving of cost in manufacture.

Other objects and advantages inherent in the invention will becomeapparent from the following specication taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing which discloses a preferred embodiment of theinventive idea.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a grainng apparatus according to theinvention.

Figure 2 is a side view taken from the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end view taken along the line 3--3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an end view partly in section taken along the line 4-4 ofFigure 2.

Figure 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 2 drawn to anenlarged scale.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary section along the line 6-6 of Figure 1 drawnto an enlarged scale.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary section along the line 'I--T of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a section of the grainng container showing how the plates tobe grained are clamped in place.

Throughout the drawing the same reference- 2 numerals serve to indicatethe same or analogous parts.

Referring in greater detail to the drawing, the grainng container ortank is generally designated by the reference numeral IIJ. The containercomprises a bottom I I, end Walls I2 and side walls I3.

The plates I4 to be grained, which usually are made of zinc, aluminum orsome other suitable metal, are placed along the bottom of the containerand may be clamped in position by the conventional clamps I5 which areadj'ustably mounted in the bar IB which in turn is clamped over theedges of the grainng container.

The grainng marbles used together with sand and water to produce thegrained surface are indicated by the reference numerals IGa.

Adjacent one end of the grainng container, the bottom I I is providedwith an opening I I and a hinged gate I8, which normally prevents thegrainng particles from escaping from the graining container. The purposeof this opening and gate will be explained in greater detail hereafter.

The hinged gate I8 is pivoted to the shaft I9, which extendstransversely across the grainng container, and is mounted in thebrackets 20 which in turn are mounted on the side walls I3.

The hinged gate I8 is held in closed position against the interior edgeof the opening I 'I by means of the handwheel 2I which is adjustable onthe bolt 22 which in turn is pivoted to the bracket 23. The bolts 22areaccommodated in the slots 24 of the gate I8. Thus, when the hand-.wheel is loosened, the bolt will drop down to assume the position shownin dotted lines in Figure 6 of the drawing and the gate will be vfree toopen.

The grainng container IIJ is mounted on the sub-frame 25 by means of theresilient blocks or cushions 26 of rubber or some other vibrationabsorbing material.

The sub-frame 25 is hinged at one end to the main frame generallyindicated at 2'I by means of the pivots 28 and the angle brackets 29 and30 mounted on the sub-frame and the main frame, respectively.

The opposite end of the sub-frame 25 is provided with a bearing plate 3|which rests freely on the cams 32. These cams are keyed to the shaft 33which is journalled in the brackets 34 on the main frame.

In terms of broad inclusion, the inventioncontemplates theaccomplishment of the objects of the invention by imparting to thegrainng containera rapid vibratory pulsating movement incontradistinction to the gyrating or circular movements usuallydescribed by containers in the apparatus heretofore used. This rapidvibratory pulsation of the container will cause the graining particlesto move over the surface of the plate in such a manner as to quicklyproduce a greatly improved grained surface.

The means for producing the vibratory pulsating movement illustrated inthe drawing comprises a plurality of electro-magnetic Vibrators 35,which are yoflconventional construction, and which may be attached tothe bottom and vto the sides of the graining container or to some othersuitable part thereof. The individual vibrators 35 are connected bymeans of the wiring 36 to a control switch box 31.

It will be understood that the number of vibrators or vibratory unitsused, depends upon the size and weight of the graining container, the'speed of the graining and the type of .grained surface desired.

It will also be understood that the speed of producing nished grainedplates or the typeof grained surface desired .can be regulated by thespeed .and/or rintensity .of the pulsating ,vibrations imparted to thecontainers.

Although electrounagnetically actuated Vibrators have been describedherein, it ,will be understood that other types of vibrators may be usedwithout departing from .the spirit `of .the invention, such ashydraulic, pneumatic, .mechanical, etc.

In addition to the pulsating vibratory movement of the container, asecondary rocking `motion may be imparted thereto if desired to keep thegraining particles moving .over .the .entire surface of the plates. Thisrocking movement may be produced by the rotation of the cams 32 whichwill cause the sub-frame 25 to .swing up and down yabout the .pivot 28..The shaft33 carrying the cams .32 is rotated by the motor 38 through themeans of the pulleys 39 vandll, .and the drive belt fil.

The invention herein described may also be provided with means forraising the free end lof the sub-frame 25 for the purpose of drainingthe .graining particles and the sludge through ,the hinged gate i3 andthe opening Il. To this 4end a bracket (i2 having a screw-.threaded4bore is connected to the base of the main frame ID. The screw A3 isengaged in this bore and is provided with a collar 44 and a handwheel45. The portion of the screw between the collar .44 .and

`the handwheel i5 is smooth and `this part is engaged by the hole i in`the .bracket 41 which in turn is mounted lon the .sub-frame 2.5,.Normally the collai M rests on the bracket as shown in the drawings.Thus, there will be nointerference with the rising and falling movementof the corresponding end of the. sub-frame .2.5. However, when the screwi3 is su'ciently .turned vbyrneans of the handwheel 155, .the `collar 44:will .engage .the bracket il `and the further turning .of thescrew willcause vthe free end of the sub-frame to rise. Thus the grainingcontainer `may ,be tilted to any desired angle and adjusted in suchposition. y Y

A draining tank 48 vof conventional construction may be placedunderneath the opening -I'l for the purposev of receiving thedrainagefr-om the graining container upon` ,tilting thereof. This tankmay be tted with a perforated metal or a wire cloth 49 screen for thepurpose of retaining the graining marbles. An outlet 50 may be providedfor the purpose of removing excess water from the tank.

What is claimed is:

1. A grinding apparatus or the like comprising a main supporting frame,a sub-frame hinged at one end to said main frame, means carried by saidmain frame for movably supporting the opposite end of said sub-frame andfor imparting thereto an up and down movement, a graining container,flexible means xed on said sub-frame supporting said graining containeron said subframe and means for reciprocatingiy vibrating said grainingcontainer in a horizontal plane on said supporting means with respect tosaid subframe.

2. A graining apparatus or the like comprising a main supporting frame,a sub-frame hinged at -one end to said main frame, means carried by vsaid main frame for movably supporting the opposite end of saidsub-frame and for imparting thereto an up and down movement, a grainingcontainer, flexible means fixed on said sub-frame supporting saidvgraining vcontainer on said subframe, means for reciprocatinglyvibrating said V`graining ,container in va horizontal plane on `saidsupporting means with respect to said sub-frame and means for raisingsaid opposite end `of said ,sub-.frame at will into adjusted positionsout of contact with ,said movement imparting means so as to .cause said.graining container .to assume various `titled positions..

3. A .graining appara-tus or the like comprising a main .supportingframe, a .sub-frame hinged at vone end to said mainframe, means carriedb y said main frame for .movably supporting the op posite yend of saidsub-frame and for imparting thereto .an up .and down movement, agraining container, `cushion means supporting said graining .containeron said sub-frame, means :for yivvbrating said graining `container withrespect to said sub-frame, means for raising said opposite end of saidsub-frame at will into adjusted 'positions out of contact with saidmovement `imparting means so yas to cause said graining container toyassume various tilted positions, and a hinged Agate member adjacent theother end of said graining `container for draining the contents thereof.

4. A graining apparatus or the `like comprising -a rframe for supportingsaid vapparatus on a base, -a graining container, flexible means fixedon ysaid frame for supporting `said graining .container on saidframe,and means for reciprocatingly vibrating said graining container Ion saidsupporting ,means with respect to said frame.

5. A graining apparatus .or the like comprising a frame for supportingsaid apparatus on a base, a graining container, flexible means xed onsaid frame for supporting said graining container en said frame,meansfor reciprocatingly vibrating said graining container on saidsupporting means with respect to said frame, and means for imparting arocking motion in a vertical `plane to said Vgraining container.

6. A graining apparatus or the like comprising a main frame forsupporting said apparatus on a base, a sub-frame hingedly connected atone end -to said main frame, av rotatable vcam on said main frame forsupporting the opposite end of said sub-frame, a graining container,resilient means supporting said graining container on said sub-frame,,means for vibrating saidgraining container with respect to said.subframe and means for rotating said cam.

JOHN M. SIM-PSGN.

(References on Vfollowing page) 5 REFERENCES CITED Number 1,935,306 Thefollowing references are of record in the 1,960,447 le of this patent:2,074,633 UNI'I'ED STATES PATENTS 5 381140 Number Name Date 1,199,028Cornwall Sept. 19, 1916 Number 1,373,140 Long Mar. 29, 1921 574,224

, Name Date.` Zarkin Nov. 14, 1933 Metrick May 29, 1934 Zarkin Mar. 23,1937 Fruth Oct. 16, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany July 17,1933 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,458,108. January 4, 1949.

JOHN M. SIMPSON It is hereby certied that error appears in the printedspecification of the above numbered patent requiring correction asfollows:

Column 4, line 2, claim 1, for the Word grinding read graining;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correctiontherein that the same may conform to the record of the case in thePatent Office.

Signed and sealed this 14th day of June, A. D. 1949.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Uommz'ssz'oner of Patents.

